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Name Lineage

    The first name Archibald

    A boy’s name meaning “pure”, “holy”, “genuine”.

    Pronounced /ˈɑː(ɹ).t͡ʃɪ.bɔːld/ 3 syllables Male Also a surname

    Meaning and origin

    Archibald means “pure”, “holy”, “genuine”.

    From Anglo-Norman Arcebald, Arcenbald or Ercenbald, from Old French Archaunbault, from Proto-West Germanic *Erknabalþ, from *erkn (“pure, holy, genuine, precious”) + *balþ (“strong, bold”). Doublet of Archambault. Compare Latin Archibaldus.

    More names that mean brave, holy, strong.

    From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).

    Popularity

    Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025

    In 2025, 123 boys were named Archibald, making it the 346th most popular boys’ name.

    0100200 1996200020052010201520202025
    2,051
    babies named Archibald, 1996–2025
    #346
    rank in 2025
    2025
    peak year

    Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Archibald with other names.

    Popularity in the United States

    Babies named Archibald at birth, 1880–2025

    In 2025, 184 boys born in the United States were named Archibald, the 1,145th most popular boys’ name that year.

    0100200 188018851890189519001905191019151920192519301935194019451950195519601965197019751980198519901995200020052010201520202025
    3,985
    babies named Archibald since 1880
    #1,145
    rank in 2025
    2025
    peak year

    US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.

    Archibald in other languages

    Equivalent forms of the name, from Wiktionary

    Arxibald
    Catalan
    阿奇博爾德 /阿奇博尔德
    Āqíbó'ěrdé
    Chinese
    Archambault
    French, also Archenbaud, Archibald
    Αρχίβαλδος
    Archívaldos
    Greek
    Arcibaldo
    Italian, also Arcimboldo, Archimboldo
    Archibaldus
    Latin
    Arquibaldo
    Portuguese, also Arquimbaldo
    Archibaldo
    Spanish

    Spelled Archibald in German too.

    Nicknames and spellings

    Nicknames for Archibald

    Famous people named Archibald

    58 on Wikidata, most written-about first

    • Archibald Hill
      English physiologist and biophysicist (1886-1977)
    • John Archibald Wheeler
      American physicist (1911-2008)
    • Archibald Primrose, 5th Earl of Rosebery
      British Liberal politician and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (1847–1929)
    • Archibald Wavell, 1st Earl Wavell
      British Army general and Viceroy of India, 1883–1950
    • Archibald MacLeish
      American poet and Librarian of Congress (1892-1982)
    • Archibald Leitch
      British architect (1865–1939)
    • Archibald Geikie
      British geologist (1835–1924)
    • Archibald Sayce
      British Assyriologist and linguist (1845–1933)
    • Archibald Reiss
      Forensic scientist (1875-1929)
    • Archibald James Murray
      British army officer, 1860 –1945 (1860–1945)
    • Archibald MacKinnon
      Canadian rower, 1937–2026
    • Archibald Scott Couper
      British chemist (1831–1892)

    Questions

    What does the name Archibald mean?
    Archibald means “pure”, “holy”, “genuine”.
    How popular is the name Archibald?
    In 2025, 123 boys born in England and Wales were named Archibald, ranking 346th.
    What are nicknames for Archibald?
    Common nicknames for Archibald include Archie, Arch.
    Is Archibald a boy's or a girl's name?
    Mostly a boy's name: 100% of the 3,985 US babies named Archibald since 1880 were boys.
    When was Archibald most popular?
    2025 in the United States, when 184 babies were named Archibald, its highest rank at 1,145th.
    How do you pronounce Archibald?
    Archibald is /ˈɑː(ɹ).t͡ʃɪ.bɔːld/, 3 syllables.
    Is Archibald also a surname?
    Yes. Archibald is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.